POLICE FIRE RUBBER BULLETS AT PROTESTERS IN TIRANA

TIRANA, OCTOBER 17 /SRNA/ - Albanian police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana today, on the fifth day of protests, Albanian media reported.

Police had previously used tear gas after demonstrators began throwing eggs and stones at officers, Albanian Post reported.

Tensions escalated further following clashes between demonstrators and police, with several masked protesters tearing down a roadside safety barrier and placing it in the roadway to form a barricade against the police.

During the protests, demonstrators also set fire to garbage bins in the middle of the street and threw a burning suitcase, symbolizing emigration from the country, into the courtyard of the Ministry of Education.

The protest began with students and members of the public gathering, while medical students marched toward the ministry building chanting, "Rama, resign!", addressing Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Another factor contributing to rising tensions was the demonstrators' demand that responsibility be established for an incident the previous day, when a police officer shoved a 21-year-old demonstrator.

During the protest, a 16-year-old participant addressed the police officers and urged them not to use violence against young people.

The student-led protests began over dissatisfaction with the state of education, the high cost of studying and the limited employment opportunities for young people, but have since grown into broader demonstrations against the government of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, with protesters demanding his resignation.

The protests have been marked by violent clashes between demonstrators and police, during which government institutions and private property have been attacked, vehicles set on fire, and fires started.